What wild animals use a river?

Many wild animals use rivers for a variety of reasons. Here's a breakdown by category:

Drinking and Bathing:

* Mammals: Deer, elk, moose, bears, raccoons, squirrels, beavers, muskrats, otters, foxes, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions

* Birds: Ducks, geese, herons, egrets, kingfishers, sandpipers, swallows, osprey, eagles

* Reptiles: Turtles, snakes, alligators, crocodiles

* Amphibians: Frogs, toads, salamanders

Food and Hunting:

* Fish: Salmon, trout, bass, catfish, carp, pike

* Insects: Dragonflies, damselflies, mayflies, caddisflies

* Birds: Birds of prey (hawks, eagles, owls) hunt fish and other animals near rivers.

* Mammals: Otters, bears, raccoons, foxes, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions hunt fish and other animals in or near rivers.

Shelter and Breeding:

* Mammals: Beavers, muskrats, otters, mink, deer, elk, moose, bears, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions use rivers for shelter, protection, and raising young.

* Birds: Ducks, geese, herons, egrets, kingfishers, swallows build nests near rivers.

* Reptiles: Turtles, snakes, alligators, crocodiles use rivers for breeding and raising young.

* Amphibians: Frogs, toads, salamanders breed in rivers.

Migration:

* Fish: Salmon, trout, eels migrate up and down rivers for breeding purposes.

* Birds: Ducks, geese, herons, egrets, sandpipers migrate along rivers.

* Mammals: Deer, elk, moose may use rivers as migration routes.

Other:

* Insects: Mosquitoes, flies, and other insects breed in rivers and use them as a source of food.

* Plants: Cattails, reeds, willows, and other plants grow near rivers.

This is just a small sample of the many animals that use rivers. The specific animals found in a river depend on the location, climate, and other factors.